Batten Mounting Water Management System

ABSTRACT

An elongate batten ( 1 ) adapted for positioning intermediate an inner wall framing member ( 2 ) and an outer wall cladding sheet ( 3 ) to facilitate dispersion and evaporation of moisture from a wall cavity. The batten includes at least one channel to facilitate migration and drainage of moisture between the batten and the framing member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to building construction, andmore particularly to a mounting batten and an associated building methodfor improved moisture tolerance and water management.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The following discussion of the prior art and any other prior artreferences throughout the specification are intended to provide anappropriate technical context for the invention and to enable theadvantages of it to be more fully understood. Any such references,however, should not be construed as an express or implied admission thatsuch art was well known or formed part of common general knowledge inthe field at the priority date.

The invention has been developed primarily for use in conjunction withtimber framing and fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) cladding materials,in the context of housing construction. It will be appreciated, however,that the invention is not limited to this particular combination ofmaterials or this particular form of building.

In housing and other forms of building, it is a common constructiontechnique to form a frame from timber, steel or other suitablematerials, and apply a cladding material such as FRC sheet,weatherboard, masonry, or other suitable materials over the externalperimeter of the frame. The interior of the building is usually linedwith plasterboard, or other suitable materials. The frame typicallycomprises a series of spaced apart vertically extending framingelements, known as studs, and a series of spaced apart framing elementsextending generally horizontally between the studs, known as noggins.Other framing members such as top plates, bottom plates and diagonalsare also typically used, as is well known and understood by thoseskilled in the art.

In climatic regions prone to sustained or heavy rainfall or highhumidity, it is common for moisture to permeate through or around theexternal cladding, and into the wall cavities between the framingmembers. Once this moisture permeation has occurred, it can be difficultto dry the wall cavity, which results in numerous problems includingrotting of framing members, moisture damage to internal lining orexternal cladding materials, accelerated corrosion of metal fasteners,peeling of paint on internal and external surfaces, propagation ofmould, rising damp, and the like.

It is known that these problems are minimized by facilitating thedrainage and ventilation of the wall cavities. One known method ofachieving this is to secure a series of timber battens onto the outerfaces of the vertical and horizontal framing members duringconstruction. The external cladding sheets are then fixed to, orthrough, the timber battens, usually by nailing or screwing.Importantly, the battens are not coextensive with the outer surfaces ofthe framing members, but rather are cut short. The resultant gaps allowmigration of moisture, as both liquid and vapour, within the wallcavities, around the battens, in a plane immediately behind the externalcladding sheets and immediately in front of the outer faces of thestructural framing members. While the precise mechanics behind thesewater transport and evaporation processes are not necessarily fullyunderstood, it is known empirically that this arrangement does in factfacilitate evaporation and/or dispersion of retained moisture, andconsequential drying of the wall cavities and framing members. Thereare, however, difficulties and limitations associated with thistechnique.

Firstly, it has been found in practice that the timber battensthemselves are prone to moisture absorption. This is not a usefulcharacteristic in a system specifically intended to facilitate moisturedissipation, and inevitably impedes the drying process.

Secondly, because the timber battens cover the majority of the outersurfaces of the framing members, they inhibit the rate at which moisturethat has permeated the framing members themselves is able to migrateoutwardly toward the front faces of those members from where it canbegin to evaporate. Accordingly, not only may the battens themselvesremain wet or damp for some considerable time following moisturepermeation, they also impede drying of the underlying framing members.

Another problem with conventional battens is that when used onhorizontal framing members, any condensation or other water must pooland flow to the end of the batten, in order to drain to the next level.In the case of standard timber framing construction using studs at 600mm centers, the water would typically need to track for up to around 500mm to the end of the batten, before reaching a vertical gap throughwhich to flow. Even this relies on the builder being assiduous inproviding the necessary gaps, inclinations, and tolerances to allow theprocess to occur as intended. In practice, this does not always happen.

A further problem relates to corrosion of metal fasteners. The usualmethod of treatment for timber battens exposed to moisture for prolongedperiods involves the use of an acidic solution of copper, chromium andarsenate (CCA), which is designed to fully penetrate the timber underexternal pressure. If timber treated in this way remains wet forprolonged periods, as is typically the case in the present context,standard galvanized nails or screws become corroded to an unsatisfactorydegree. In order to ameliorate this problem, it is possible to usestainless steel nails. However, this adds significantly to the cost ofmaterials. Furthermore, stainless steel nails are typically notavailable in collated magazine form for use in nails guns. Consequently,in such situations, the builder must nail the battens to the claddingsheets by hand. This is time-consuming, inconvenient, and addssignificantly to the labour as well as the material cost.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a batten andassociated framing method, which overcomes or substantially amelioratesone or more of these disadvantages of the prior art, or at leastprovides a useful alternative.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides an elongatebatten adapted for positioning intermediate an inner wall framing memberand outer wall cladding sheet to facilitate dispersion and evaporationof moisture from a wall cavity, said batten including at least onechannel to facilitate migration and drainage of moisture between thebatten and the framing member.

Preferably, the channel is formed in an inner surface of the battenadapted for face-to-face engagement with an adjacent outer surface ofthe underlying framing member. Alternatively, the channel may be formedin an outer surface of the batten adapted for face-to-face engagementwith an adjacent inner surface of the overlying cladding sheet. In afurther alternative, the channel may extend through the batten.

Preferably, the channel extends longitudinally to facilitate migrationand drainage of moisture along the length of the batten. Preferably, thebatten includes a plurality of such longitudinal channels disposed ingenerally parallel side-by-side relationship and extending alongsubstantially the entire length of the batten. Preferably, thelongitudinal channels are respectively formed between adjacent pairs ofa corresponding plurality of longitudinal ridges, the ridgescollectively defining the inner surface of the batten.

Preferably, the batten additionally or alternatively includes atransverse channel formed in the inner surface adapted for engagementwith the adjacent outer surface of the framing member, to facilitatemigration and drainage of moisture across the batten. Alternatively,however, the transverse channel may be formed in the outer surface of,or extend through, the batten. Preferably, the batten includes aplurality of transverse channels disposed in generally parallelside-by-side relationship.

In one preferred embodiment, the transverse channels are defined bycorresponding series of apertures, slots, cutouts, or openings formed inthe respective longitudinal ridges. The apertures or cutouts definingeach channel may be transversely aligned, staggered or disposed in someother relationship. In this way, the transverse and longitudinalchannels form a ventilation and drainage matrix adapted to permitmigration of moisture in liquid or vapour form across, along and throughthe batten. It should be appreciated, however, that the respectivechannels defining the drainage matrix may or may not be orthogonal, andthe transverse channels may or may not intersect with the longitudinalchannels.

In the preferred embodiment, the batten is formed from a plastics orplastic like material adapted to resist moisture permeation, and to bereadily cut to desired lengths using conventional sawing tools andtechniques. In one embodiment, the batten incorporates pre-formed linesof weakness disposed at regular intervals, to permit the batten to bemanually snapped or broken into small sections of desired length,without the need for cutting or sawing. Most preferably, the batten isformed from PVC, and is ideally formed, at least partially, byextrusion. It should be appreciated, however, that other suitable battenmaterials, or combinations of materials, may be used. Suitable materialsare those that retard or minimise the migration of moisture to theframing or substrate. One way of limiting the migration of moisture tothe framing or substrate is to form the battens of a material having avery low absorption characteristics. This inhibits the batten frombecoming water saturated and allowing moisture migration through thebatten to the framing or substrate. Battens formed from low moistureabsorption materials encourage the migration of water down the battenand thereby promote efficient moisture egress. In one preferredembodiment, the batten is formed from fibre reinforced cement (FRC). Lowpermeability formulations and/or moisture resistant coatings may ideallybe used in this context to minimise moisture absorption. The channelsare preferably formed by machining, extrusion, casting, moulding orother suitable production technique or combination of techniques.

The batten is preferably between about 30 mm and 60 mm in width, morepreferably between about 40 mm and 50 mm in width, and in some preferredembodiments is approximately 45 mm in width. The batten has a thicknesspreferably between about 10 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between about15 mm and 25 mm and in one preferred embodiment, has a thickness ofabout 19 mm. The batten preferably includes three longitudinal channels,each approximately 9.5 mm in width and approximately 17 mm in height.Preferably, the intermediate ridges are approximately 2.5 mm inthickness.

Preferably, the transverse channels are defined by a series of cutoutsin the ridges, each cutout being generally U-shaped, with a length ofaround 20 mm and a height of around 8 mm, and space apart along eachridge at approximately 50 mm between centers. In the preferredembodiment, the cutouts on adjacent ridges are staggered. Preferably,the batten is initially formed in a length of around 2400 mm, but isadapted to be readily cut or broken into smaller lengths of desired sizeon-site.

Preferably, the outer surface of the batten is grooved, to facilitatethe downward passage past the batten of water passing along the innersurface of the outer cladding material.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method ofbuilding construction, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   forming a structural frame from framing members, such that the        framing members defining cavities therebetween;    -   securing a plurality of battens as previously defined to outer        surfaces of at least some of the framing members;    -   applying an outer cladding material to substantially cover the        framing members and the battens; such that the battens        collectively form a clearance space between the framing members        and the cladding material;    -   the battens thereby facilitating drainage and ventilation of the        cavities.

Preferably, the structural frame is formed substantially from timberframing members and the method relates to construction of a wall sectionof a building. It will be appreciated, however, that the framing membersmay be formed from other suitable materials including steel, FRC orplastics, and that the construction technique may be applied to floors,ceilings, roofing sections, partitions, and the like. Preferably, thecladding material is FRC sheet. It will be appreciated, however, thatany other suitable cladding material may be used.

Preferably, the battens are secured so as collectively to cover morethan 50% of the combined outer surface area of the framing members towhich the method is applied. Preferably, the battens are secured to theframing members by nailing or screwing. It will be appreciated, however,that any other suitable fastening means may be used, including tacking,stapling, gluing, welding, chemical bonding, frictional engagement, ormechanical engagement.

Preferably, the method includes the further step of applying an internallining material such that the framing members are effectivelysandwiched, directly or indirectly, between the external claddingmaterial and the internal lining material. The internal lining materialis preferably plasterboard. Again, however, other suitable materials maybe used.

In one preferred form, the method includes the step of pre-attaching thebattens to the cladding sheets, before securing the resultant claddingand batten sub-assemblies to the frame.

According to a third aspect, the invention provides a building or asection of a building, constructed in accordance with the method andusing the battens, as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a batten according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the batten shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken a long line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a form of wallconstruction using the battens of FIGS. 1 to 4, according to theinvention; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail taken from the top-left-hand corner of FIG.5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, the invention in a first aspect provides anelongate batten 1 adapted for positioning between an inner wall frame 2and an outer wall cladding layer 3, to facilitate dispersion andevaporation of moisture from the wall cavity. As best seen in FIGS. 1 to4, the batten includes a series of generally U-shaped longitudinalchannels 10 disposed in parallel side-by-side relationship, andextending along substantially the entire length of the batten. Thechannels are respectively formed between adjacent pairs of ridges 11,such that the ridges effectively define the inner surface 12 of thebatten. The outer surface 13 of the batten includes a correspondingseries of generally V-shaped grooves 14, again disposed in parallel,side-by-side relationship and extending along substantially the entirelength of the batten. In the embodiment shown, the grooves generallycorrespond in number and alignment with the respective ridges. Thisconfers the advantage of maintaining a substantially uniform wallthickness in the batten. It will be appreciated, however, that this neednot necessarily be the case. If desired, the outer surface of the battenmay additionally or alternatively include transverse grooves (notshown).

The batten also includes a series of transverse passages or channels 15,effectively formed in the inner surface. These transverse channels arecollectively defined by a series of apertures, slots, cutouts, holes oropenings 16, formed in each of the longitudinal ridges 11. In thisregard, it will be appreciated that each transverse passage or channel15 is not defined by a single cutout 16, but rather by a sequence ofcutouts in each of the ridges. The cutouts in each such sequence may betransversely aligned, such that the transverse channels are effectivelystraight, or staggered (as shown), such that the transverse channelseffectively follow a zigzag or sinuate path across the batten. Acombination of these or other forms of relative alignment between therespective sequences of cutouts may also be used, whereby the resultantshape of the transverse passages or channels may be regular, irregular,or a combination of both.

The net result is that the transverse and longitudinal channels 15 and11 together form a ventilation and drainage matrix adapted, inconjunction with the grooves 14, to permit migration of moisture inliquid or vapour form across, along and through the batten, as describedin more detailed below. It should be noted, however, that the respectivechannels, passages and grooves defining the drainage matrix may or maynot be orthogonal, and the transverse channels may or may not intersectwith the longitudinal channels. Ideally, these channels will intersectat least to some degree, to enhance the moisture dispersioncharacteristics. In some embodiments, however, the longitudinal andtransverse channels may be supplemented or replaced by channelsextending obliquely across the batten, to provide a combination of bothlongitudinal and crossflow ventilation.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the batten is formed froma plastics or plastic like material, ideally PVC, and is thereby welladapted to resist moisture permeation. This material also enables thebatten to be readily cut to desired lengths using conventional sawingtools and techniques. It also incorporates pre-formed lines of weakness(not shown) disposed at regular intervals, to permit the batten to bemanually snapped or broken into smaller sections of desired length,without the need for cutting or sawing. It should be appreciated,however, that other suitable batten materials, or combinations ofmaterials, may alternatively be used. The range of suitable materialsmay also be expanded by use in conjunction with waterproof or moistureresistant coatings. The batten in a preferred alternative embodiment isformed from fibre reinforced cement (FRC), ideally using a relativelylow permeability fibre cement formulation and/or a moisture resistantcoating. The channels are formed by extrusion, machining, casting,fabrication or other suitable production technique or combination oftechniques.

The batten is ideally approximately 45 millimetres in width and around19 millimetres in thickness or depth. In the embodiment shown, itincludes three longitudinal channels 10, each approximately 9 to 10millimetres in width and approximately 17 millimetres in depth. Thebatten includes four outer grooves 14, each approximately 1.5millimetres in depth. The wall thickness is generally in the order of2.5 millimetres, and the sidewalls or ridges 11 defining the respectivechannels approximately correspond to this thickness. The cutouts 16 eachhave a length of approximately 20 mm and a depth or height ofapproximately 8 mm. The cutouts are spaced along each ridge or sidewallat a distance of approximately 50 millimetres between centres. Thebatten is initially formed in lengths of approximately 2400 millimetres,but as noted above, is adapted to be cut or snapped into smallerlengths, as required.

In a second aspect, the invention also provides a method of buildingconstruction, using battens as described, to facilitate the management,control and dispersion of water. Using this method, a structural frame 2is initially erected using framing members 21, which may be formed fromtimber, FRC, steel or other suitable materials. The embodiment shownuses conventional timber framing members. In the conventional manner,the frame includes horizontally and vertically oriented framing members21 spaced apart at appropriate intervals to define intermediate wallcavities 24. The framing members 21 include respective inner faces 25and outer faces 26, as best seen in FIG. 6. A series of battens 1 isthen secured to the respective outer faces 26 of at least some, andideally most, of the framing members 21. The battens may be secured bygluing, screwing, nailing, stapling, or other suitable fasting means.

The outer layer 3 of cladding material is then applied, using claddingsheets 30 so as to cover the framing members and the overlying battens.In this way, the battens collectively position the outer claddingmaterial away from the framing members by a predetermined distancecorresponding to the thickness of the battens, and form a clearancespace 31 therebetween. The outer cladding material 30 is ideally formedfrom FRC sheet, but may alternatively the formed from timber, aluminium,cement render, masonry, plastic, or other suitable cladding materials.The cladding material is ideally fastened by nailing or screwing, butagain, other suitable fasting means may be used as appropriate to thecladding and framing materials, the required strength characteristics,the prevailing climatic conditions, cost considerations, aesthetics, andother relevant factors.

The inner face of the frame is then covered with an internal liningmaterial such as plasterboard (not shown), whereby the framing members21 are effectively sandwiched between the external cladding and theinternal lining materials. The wall cavities may contain thermalinstallation, ducting for building services, soundproofing, or othermaterials as required. In a variation on this construction technique,the battens may be pre-attached to the cladding sheets, and theresultant batten and cladding sub-assemblies subsequently secured to thebuilding frame.

Although these construction techniques have been described primarilywith reference to the wall section of the building, it will beunderstood that they may be equally applied to the construction offloors, ceilings, roofing sections, partitions, and the like.

Turning now to described the mode of operation of the battens in moredetail, with the wall or building section formed as described, any waterin liquid form that migrates into the wall cavity is able to rundownwardly through the planar clearance space 31 between the framingmembers and the outer cladding, via the drainage matrices extendingthrough the respective battens. From the bottom of the wall section,this water is readily directed out of the wall cavity and away from thebuilding through appropriately positioned drainage holes, channels,gutters, ducts, pipes, flashing, or the like. Moisture in vapour form isreadily able to either condense for removal with the liquid drainagewater as described, or alternatively to rise in gaseous form through thesame clearance space 31, again via the drainage matrices extendingthrough the respective battens, for egress from the wall cavity throughthe top of the wall section.

It will be appreciated that because the battens are formed from aplastics or plastic like material, they do not themselves absorb anymoisture. Moreover, because they do not need to be chemically treated,they do not cause accelerated corrosion of metal fasteners, and inparticular do not require the use of stainless steel screws or nails.Conveniently, the batten material is therefore readily fastenable usingconventional galvanised nails in collated nail gun format.

Furthermore, the longitudinal channels 10 effectively form vapourdiffusion ports, which facilitate the diffusion of water absorbed intothe underlying timber framing members. The only direct contact areabetween each batten and the underlying framing member is essentiallyfour contact strips, each 2.5 mm wide, corresponding respectively to thefour inner faces of the longitudinal ridges 11. This greatly increasesthe area of free air space above wet timber framing members, therebyproviding improved drying conditions at the outer surfaces of anyframing members that have absorbed moisture. These drying conditions arefurther improved by the cutouts 16 and associated transverse passages 15in the battens, which allow the free movement of air through and betweenthe individual compartments within the wall cavity. This free movementof air minimises the accumulation of moisture within the cavity, andfacilitates the migration of absorbed water to the outer surfaces of theframing members and subsequent dispersion by drainage and evaporation.Also, in the case of horizontally oriented battens, any condensation orother liquid water flows are able to drain directly through the cutouts16, rather than having to pool and flow from one end of the batten tothe other, as in the case of the prior art. This means that the systemis less dependent upon precise angles of inclination, end gaps andtolerances upon installation of the battens, in comparison to prior arttechniques.

Because of the shape, configuration and material and properties of thebattens, which are preferably formed by extrusion, the dimensionaltolerances in terms of thickness, width, straightness and the like aresuperior to those of conventional timber batten products. Furthermore,there are no significant dimensional variations in response to changesin ambient humidity. Yet, as noted above, the battens of the presentinvention are far more tolerant of positional variation uponinstallation. In the case of PVC battens, they are also lighter thancorrespondingly sized conventional solid timber battens, readilyhandlable without splintering, and easy to cut. In all these respects,the invention represents a practical and commercially significantimprovement over the prior art.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificexamples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theinvention may be embodied in many other forms.

1-40. (canceled)
 41. An elongate batten adapted for positioningintermediate an inner wall framing member and an outer wall claddingsheet to facilitate dispersion and evaporation of moisture from a wallcavity, said batten including at least one longitudinally extendingchannel to facilitate migration and drainage of moisture between thebatten and the framing member along the length of the batten.
 42. Abatten according to claim 41, wherein the at least one longitudinalchannel is formed in an inner surface of the batten adapted forface-to-face engagement with an adjacent outer surface of the underlyingframing member.
 43. A batten according to claim 41, wherein the at leastone longitudinal channel is formed in an outer surface of the battenadapted for face-to-face engagement with an adjacent inner surface ofthe overlying cladding sheet.
 44. A batten according to claim 41,wherein the at least one longitudinal channel extends through thebatten.
 45. A batten according to claim 41, including a plurality ofsaid longitudinal channels disposed in generally parallel side-by-siderelationship and extending along substantially the entire length of thebatten.
 46. A batten according to claim 45, wherein the longitudinalchannels are respectively formed between adjacent pairs of acorresponding plurality of longitudinal ridges, said ridges collectivelydefining the inner surface of the batten.
 47. A batten according toclaim 41, wherein the batten includes a generally transverse channel tofacilitate migration and drainage of moisture across the batten.
 48. Abatten according to claim 47, wherein said transverse channel is formedin the inner surface of the batten adapted for face-to-face engagementwith the adjacent outer surface of the framing member.
 49. A battenaccording to claim 47, wherein the transverse channel is formed in anouter surface of the batten adapted for face-to-face engagement with anadjacent inner surface of the overlying cladding sheet.
 50. A battenaccording to claim 47, wherein the transverse channel extends throughthe batten.
 51. A batten according to claim 41, including a plurality ofsaid longitudinal channels disposed in generally parallel side-by-siderelationship and extending along substantially the entire length of thebatten, the longitudinal channels being respectively formed betweenadjacent pairs of a corresponding plurality of longitudinal ridges, saidridges collectively defining the inner surface of the batten, and aplurality of said transverse channels to facilitate migration anddrainage of moisture across the batten, said transverse channels beingdisposed in generally parallel side-by-side relationship.
 52. A battenaccording to claim 51, wherein the transverse channels are defined by acorresponding series of openings formed in the respective longitudinalridges.
 53. A batten according to claim 52, wherein the openingsdefining the respective transverse channels are transversely aligned.54. A batten according to claim 52, wherein the openings defining therespective transverse channels are transversely staggered.
 55. A battenaccording to claim 51, wherein the transverse and longitudinal channelsform a ventilation and drainage matrix adapted to permit migration ofmoisture in liquid or vapour form across, along and through the batten.56. A batten according to claim 55, wherein the longitudinal andtransverse channels are disposed in generally orthogonal relationship.57. A batten according to claim 55, wherein at least some of thetransverse and longitudinal channels respectively intersect.
 58. Abatten according to claim 41, being formed from a plastics materialadapted to resist moisture permeation, and adapted to be readily cut todesired lengths using conventional sawing tools.
 59. A batten accordingto claim 41, incorporating pre-formed lines of weakness disposed atpredetermined intervals, to permit the batten to be manually dividedinto small sections of desired length, without the need for cutting orsawing.
 60. A batten according to claim 41, being formed substantiallyfrom PVC.
 61. A batten according to claim 41, being formed substantiallyfrom FRC.
 62. A batten according to claim 41, being between 30 andaround 60 mm in width.
 63. A batten according to claim 41, beingapproximately 45 mm in width.
 64. A batten according to claim 41, beingbetween 10 mm and around 30 mm in thickness.
 65. A batten according toclaim 41, being approximately 19 mm in thickness.
 66. A batten accordingto claim 51, including three longitudinal channels, each beingapproximately 9.5 mm in width and approximately 17 mm in height, definedby respective intermediate ridges being approximately 2.5 mm inthickness.
 67. A batten according to claim 66, wherein the transversechannels are defined by a series of cutouts in the ridges, each cutoutbeing generally U-shaped with a length of around 20 mm and a height ofaround 8 mm, the cutouts being spaced apart along the respective ridgeswith approximately 50 mm between centers.
 68. A batten according toclaim 67, wherein corresponding cutouts on adjacent ridges arestaggered.
 69. A batten according to claim 41, having any preformedlength of around 2400 mm, and being adapted for division into smallerpredetermined lengths on-site.
 70. A batten according to claim 41,wherein the outer surface is grooved, to facilitate the downward passagepast the batten of water passing along the inner surface of the outercladding material.
 71. A method of building construction, said methodcomprising the steps of: forming a structural frame from framingmembers, such that the framing members define cavities therebetween;securing a plurality of battens to outer surfaces of at least some ofthe framing members, wherein each of said plurality of battens includeat least one longitudinally extending channel to facilitate migrationand drainage of moisture between the batten and the framing member alongthe length of the batten, applying an outer cladding material tosubstantially cover the framing members and the battens; such that thebattens collectively form a clearance space between the framing membersand the cladding material; the battens thereby facilitating drainage andventilation of the cavities.
 72. A method according to claim 71, whereinthe structural frame is formed substantially from a material selectedfrom the group comprising timber, metal, FRC and plastics, and whereinthe method is employed to construct a wall section of a building.
 73. Amethod according to claim 71, wherein the cladding material is FRCsheet.
 74. A method according to claim 71, wherein the battens aresecured so as collectively to cover more than approximately 50% of thecombined outer surface area of the framing members to which the methodis applied.
 75. A method according to claim 71, wherein the battens aresecured to the framing members by a fasting technique selected from thegroup comprising nailing, screwing, tacking, stapling, gluing, welding,chemical bonding, frictional engagement, and mechanical engagement. 76.A method according to claim 71, including the further step of applyingan internal lining material such that the framing members areeffectively sandwiched, directly or indirectly, between the externalcladding material and the internal lining material.
 77. A methodaccording to claim 76, wherein the internal lining material isplasterboard.
 78. A method according to claim 71, including the step ofpre-attaching the battens to the cladding sheets to form a batten andcladding sub-assembly, and subsequently securing the sub-assembly to theframe.
 79. A method according to claim 71, including the step of formingthe at least one longitudinal channel or a generally transverse channelin the batten by a process selected from the group comprising:extruding; machining; milling; routing; casting; moulding; andfabricating; or a combination of those processes.
 80. A building orbuilding section constructed by the method comprising: forming astructural frame from framing members, such that the framing membersdefine cavities therebetween; securing a plurality of battens to outersurfaces of at least some of the framing members, wherein each of saidplurality of battens include at least one longitudinally extendingchannel to facilitate migration and drainage of moisture between thebatten and the framing member along the length of the batten, applyingan outer cladding material to substantially cover the framing membersand the battens; such that the battens collectively form a clearancespace between the framing members and the cladding material.